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Macross Delta Mission 16: Reluctant Birthday

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Summary

Robert asks Arad what he’s doing with Wright Immelmann’s son, but he then changes the subject abruptly and thanks Hayate for saving his life. After he’s hauled away on a stretcher, Arad comments that maybe Robert didn’t like Wright. Hayate asks Arad if he knew Wright, and Arad answers that he was a pilot like them. Hayate demands to know why Arad didn’t tell him, and Arad answers that Hayate didn’t ask. Freyja helps out at Rag-Nyan Nyan while Hayate, Mirage, Reina and Makina eat. Makina notes that it’s Freyja’s birthday in two days and suggests throwing a surprise party, which everyone agrees to help with. Ernest, Arad, Mikumo and Kaname discuss Windermere’s conquest plans. Kaname thinks that the song must be taking a toll on the Singer of the Wind, and Mikumo believes that they could boost the power of Walkure’s music by using Protoculture ruins. Kaname points out that they don’t know if that will work, so they want to investigate while Windermere’s attention is elsewhere. After the meeting, Kaname asks Mikumo if she’s going to the party, but Mikumo answers that she’ll think about it. Hayate and Mirage go to a mall to buy a present for Freyja and are spied on by Chuck, Reina and Makina. The three watch and make fun of Hayate and Mirage like they’re a couple on an awkward first date. Hayate doesn’t know what to get, and Mirage asks him if he likes Freyja. He answers that she’s just a friend and that crazy things always happen when she’s around. Mirage says feelings like that could lead to more, and he asks if she’s speaking from experience. She confesses that she doesn’t have much experience with romance, but then she realizes that Hayate isn’t even listening. Roid reports to Heinz that they’re almost ready to test song amplification and that it will be ready before NUNS attacks them again. Heinz decides that he will sing despite the strain on his body because he has to unite the galaxy with the Wind Song. He doesn’t mind sacrificing himself if it ends the war. The Aerial Knights discuss the situation and wonder what Keith thinks about it. Freyja thinks to herself that the war is going to continue and starts singing, which Hayate hears from the mall. Mikumo asks Freyja if she misses Windermere and if she’s ever sung on stage there. Mirage mentions Wright, and Hayate says it feels weird that after all the things he tried, he ended up doing the same thing as his father. Mirage notes that Hayate became a pilot before finding out about his father, so he chose his own path. Hayate has a revelation and quickly runs off. Arad shows Robert the Dimension Eater video from Windermere and asks him not to tell Hayate anything about it. 

Back at Rag-Nyan Nyan, everyone gets ready for the surprise party, but Hayate isn’t back yet. Freyja notices that the lights are off in the restaurant and wonders where everyone is. The lights come on as everyone shouts happy birthday, and Freyja realizes she totally forgot because on her birthdays the mayor was usually trying to marry her off. Mikumo shows up and leads everyone in singing “Happy Birthday,” which makes Freyja cry. She then blows out the candles on her cake and thanks everyone. Hayate pulls up outside with two snow machines, and Freyja tells everyone that when things were tough because of the war, she discovered Earth’s music. She didn’t understand the songs, but they were happy, so when she eventually heard about the Walkure audition, she wanted to join. Hayate slips into the party, and Freyja notes that at 15 she’s at the midpoint of her life, so she’s happy to spend her birthday with everyone. Everyone’s attention is drawn outside by snow around the restaurant, and Freyja is overjoyed. Hayate wishes Freyja a happy birthday and tells her the snow is his present. Hayate notices that Freyja’s rune is shining, which doesn’t embarrass her. Instead, she starts singing “God Bless You” and throws a snowball at Hayate. Kaname is surprised that Mikumo came, and Mikumo answers that she wanted to experience it for herself since she has no memory of anyone celebrating her birthday. Hayate asks Arad what Wright was like, and Arad explains that he was a good pilot, but also too kind.

Commentary

It is not uncommon for a Macross TV series to feature an episode focusing on character’s birthday, and Delta continues that tradition. It’s a little different this time, because although Freyja is visibly a teenager, as a Windermerian she’s middle-aged. This episode definitely builds up the love triangle, with Mirage flat out asking Hayate if he likes Freyja, and to which he gives an expectably dense answer. Additionally, out in the snow, Hayate notes once again that Freyja’s rune is shining, but this is the first time she doesn’t get embarrassed and call him a pervert. On a separate note, we learn that Arad knew Hayate’s father, Wright, who apparently has an infamous reputation and is connected to the Dimension Eater bombing on Windermere. Arad brushes off not telling Hayate anything with a simple “you didn’t ask,” but it’s obvious he’s trying to deliberately conceal things from Hayate, given his conversation with Robert.

Overall Rating
3.5/5
Macross Delta Info


Director(s):
Kenji Yasuda
Shoji Kawamori

Writer(s):
Toshizo Nemoto
Tatsuto Higuchi
Ukyo Kodachi
Touko Machida

Mechanical Designer(s):
Shoji Kawamori
Hidetaka Tenjin
Stanislas Brunet

Character Designer(s):
Chisato Mita
Majiro
Masaru Shindo

Musical Composer(s):
Saeko Suzuki
TOMISIRO
Mina Kubota

Format:
26 episodes

Airdates:
Japan 04.03.2016 – 09.25.2016

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